Enron Mail

From:word@m-w.com
To:mw-wod@listserv.webster.m-w.com
Subject:neoteric: M-W's Word of the Day
Cc:
Bcc:
Date:Mon, 31 Dec 2001 02:00:00 -0800 (PST)

***************************************************************
Want to get published? Here's your chance to get recognized.
Click to learn more! Sponsored by Penguin Putnam Publishing.
http://www.insidesessions.com/promos/promowriting.asp?rid=680
***************************************************************

The Word of the Day for January 1 is:

neoteric \nee-uh-TARE-ik\ (adjective)
: recent in origin : modern

Example sentence:
"I find neoteric fiction dreadful as a rule, so I
concentrate my reading on the works of the masters of
yesteryear," declared Anthony.

Did you know?
An odd thing about "neoteric" is that this word for things
that are modern and new is itself very old. It's been part of
English since at least 1596, and its roots go back even further
-- to ancient Greek. We adapted the word from Late Latin
"neotericus," which also means "recent"; "neotericus" comes from
Greek "neoterikos" and ultimately from "neos," meaning "new" or
"young." As old as its roots are, however, "neoteric" itself
entered English later than its synonyms "modern" (which appeared
earlier in the 16th century) and "newfangled" (which has been
with us since the 14th century).

----------------
Brought to you by Merriam-Webster, Inc.
http://www.Merriam-Webster.com
----------------

***************************************************************
Resolve to introduce your family to the world of Word Central
this coming year -- the language site for kids and parents.
http://www.wordcentral.com
***************************************************************

Subscribe or unsubscribe to Word of the Day via the Web at:
http://www.Merriam-Webster.com/service/subinst.htm

To join the list via e-mail, send a blank e-mail to:
mw-wod-subscribe-request@listserv.webster.m-w.com
To leave the list via e-mail, send a blank e-mail to:
mw-wod-signoff-request@listserv.webster.m-w.com

Questions about your subscription?
Write to: mw-wod-request@listserv.webster.m-w.com
Questions or comments about the Word of the Day?
Write to: word@Merriam-Webster.com

© 2002 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated